There is an Indian proverb, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." You identify the elephant in the room and then eat one bite. Then another. This is the same way you accomplish a goal.
My "elephant" is making it to the podium at the 2021 FINA world championship in Fukuoka, Japan. Essentially, I want my body to be 20 years younger within the next 18 months. I will need to be tougher, lighter, stronger, and faster. When I look at my elephant, all I can think is, "I will never be able to eat all of that." I have to remember that the only way to do it is one bite at a time.
Whatever your goal is, whether it's making a qualifying time, hitting a personal record, or getting fit, each of those bites are more effective if they are large and chewed quickly. Density and intensity are the name of the game in training, and will allow you to achieve your goals faster. Do a lot in the water and the gym, and do it fast. Not so fast that you risk injury, but fast enough that you feel the challenge.
If your elephant is speed, introduce strength training into your routine. Stronger legs mean faster kicking. Stronger arms, shoulders, and back improve your pull. A stronger core and glutes produce faster turns. Work in the weight room is necessary for effective swim practices. It compliments the unique physical demands of our sport.
If thinking about regular weight training feels overwhelming, don’t look at the elephant. Look at your fork. To start, add a 30-minute workout to your routine once or twice a week and increase from there. None of this is magic. Results come from the density and intensity of training, and sticking to one bite at a time. If I can help you with identifying the elephant in your room, and/or planning the bite-sized pieces, please let me know. Always feel free to
email me or catch me on the deck at practice.
